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St. Louis General Contractor License (2026): Cost, Exam & Requirements

Missouri has no state general-contractor license, and the City of St. Louis has no exam-based 'general contractor' license either. Instead, every contractor and subcontractor performing work within the city must obtain a Graduated Business License (GBL) from the Office of the License Collector before working — a business-tax license, not a competency exam. The GBL tax is graduated by the number of St. Louis employees (minimum $200/year for 0–2 employees). Construction-industry contractors must additionally submit proof of workers' compensation coverage (or a notarized affidavit of exemption). Skilled trades (electrical, mechanical/HVAC, plumbing) are separately licensed and examined by the Building Division; general contractors are not examined.

Graduated Business License — Construction Industry Contractor

Issued by City of St. Louis — Office of the License Collector · (314) 622-4528

Fees

  • License$200
  • Renewal (annual)$200
  • GBL tax — 3–5 St. Louis employees$325
  • GBL tax — 6–10 employees$675
  • GBL tax — 11–20 employees$1,500
  • GBL tax — 21–30 employees$2,250
  • GBL tax — 31–40 employees$3,000
  • GBL tax — 41–50 employees$4,500
  • GBL tax — 51–75 employees$7,500
  • GBL tax — 76–100 employees$11,250
  • GBL tax — 101–150 employees$15,000
  • GBL tax — 151–200 employees$20,250
  • GBL tax — 201–300 employees$25,500
  • GBL tax — 301–400 employees$30,000
  • GBL tax — 401–500 employees$34,500
  • GBL tax — 501+ employees$37,500

Exam: Not required. General contractors do not sit a city competency exam. Only the skilled trades — electrical, mechanical/HVAC, and plumbing — are separately licensed and examined by the City of St. Louis Building Division. The GBL is a business-tax license issued without an exam.

Bond: No surety bond required. No surety bond is required of general contractors for the Graduated Business License. Neither the License Collector's construction-contracting business-license page nor the GBL application instructions state any bond requirement. Source

Insurance: General liability required. Workers' comp: Required — a certificate of insurance for workers' compensation coverage, or a notarized Affidavit of Exemption (Missouri DOLIR form WC-134-AI), must be submitted before the license is issued.. Only workers' compensation is required by the City's primary documents. The City does not state a general-liability minimum in the GBL application or the construction-contracting license page; a GL figure appears only in third-party sources and is therefore left unasserted (see openQuestions). Source

Required of all contractors and subcontractors performing work within the City of St. Louis under Ordinance 61094 (Section 8.12A, Revised City Code 1992). The GBL tax is based on the number of St. Louis full-time / full-time-equivalent employees in the prior calendar year (1,920+ hours = one FTE); the license runs June 1–May 31 and must be renewed and paid before June 1. New businesses pay the minimum fee for their first year ($200 if starting June 1–Jan 1; $100 if starting Jan 1–May 31). To obtain the GBL a construction contractor must also: complete the GBL form at City Hall Room 102–104, present a State driver's license, obtain a Statement of Clearance from the Collector of Revenue (Room 410), obtain an Occupancy Permit from the Building Division (Room 425), furnish proof of workers' compensation (or affidavit), and furnish a list of subcontractors on any job. This is a business-tax/registration regime, not an exam-based GC license.

How to get licensed in St. Louis

  1. Obtain the required insurance coverage and provide a certificate.
  2. Submit your application and fees to City of St. Louis — Office of the License Collector.
  3. Renew the license every annual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a general contractor license in St. Louis?

Missouri has no state general-contractor license, and the City of St. Louis has no exam-based 'general contractor' license either. Instead, every contractor and subcontractor performing work within the city must obtain a Graduated Business License (GBL) from the Office of the License Collector before working — a business-tax license, not a competency exam. The GBL tax is graduated by the number of St. Louis employees (minimum $200/year for 0–2 employees). Construction-industry contractors must additionally submit proof of workers' compensation coverage (or a notarized affidavit of exemption). Skilled trades (electrical, mechanical/HVAC, plumbing) are separately licensed and examined by the Building Division; general contractors are not examined.

How much does a contractor license cost in St. Louis?

The license fee is $200.

Is an exam required for a St. Louis contractor license?

No, St. Louis does not require an exam for this license.

Do I need a bond for a St. Louis contractor license?

No. St. Louis does not require a surety bond for this license.

Next steps

You know the requirements for general contractors in Missouri— here's how to actually pass and apply.

Pass the exam →What to study, prep courses, and first-try strategies for the contractor license exam.General Contractor requirements in every state →Compare apprenticeship hours, exams, fees, and the full path to getting licensed.

Sources

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Last verified 2026-07-02 · Verified from primary documents